Hackamore



Dec. 24, 1935.

G. I MILLER Filed Dec. 12, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l G. MILLER HACKAMOREDec. 24, 1935.

Filed Dec. 12, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 24, 1935 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements inhackamores for use particularly in the handling of race horses and poloponies and has for one of its important objects to provide, in a manneras hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which may be usedin conjunction with a conventional bit equipped bridle.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a hackamorecomprising a nose chain or band of such construction that lateralflexibility will be permitted but which prevents vertical twisting,slipping or sagging.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a hackamore which will becomparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly eflicientand reliable in use, compact, light in weight, attractive in appearanceand which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein like characters of reference designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a, perspective view of a hackamore constructed in accordancewith this invention.

Figure 2 is a view in top plan thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a pairof metallic cheek bars I which terminate, at their upper ends, inintegral, rearwardly directed hooks 2. At their lower ends the cheekbars I terminate in rearwardly directed eyes 3 in which rein rings 4 areloosely mounted.

The reference numeral 5 designates a pair of substantially forwardlydirected arms which are pivotally mounted on the upper portions of thecheek bars I, as at 6. A nose chain or band I has its ends pivotallyconnected, as at 8, to the free end portions of the arms 5. The nosechain 8, it will be noted, is substantially in the form of a sprocketchain and is mounted to flex substantially toward or away from theanimals nose but not vertically. In other words, the chain I is of suchconstruction that it sustains itself against sagging or twisting andthis constitutes an important feature of the invention. The pivoted arms5 have formed therein openings 9 which accommodate supporting straps(not shown) for mounting the hackamore in position.

Integral loops I II are formed on the rear edges of the cheek bars I, atintermediate points on said check bars, for connecting an adjustablechin strap II thereto. A looped chain I2 is connected at its ends to thehooks 2. At an interme- 5 diate point the chain I2 is connected to thechin strap I I by a ring I3 through which said chin strap slidablypasses. It will thus be seen that the chain I2 constitutes a support forthe chin strap I I. Extending between the lower portions 10 of the cheekbars I is an adjustable connecting strap I4.

In use, the chain I2 normally extends rather loosel around the jaw ofthe horse and the chain I normally extends rather loosely around theani- 15 mals nose. However, should the horse become unruly or difificultto handle it may be easily subdued and controlled by drawing the reinsin a manner to swing the lower ends of the bars I rearwardly. As thebars I swing in this manner 20 on the pivots 6 the chain I2 is drawntightly beneath the animals jaw and the chain I is drawn tightly aroundthe animals nose, as is believed to be readily apparent.

It is believed that the many advantages of a 25 hackamore constructed inaccordance with the present invention will be readily understood, andalthough the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that changes in the details ofconstruc- 30 tion and in the combination and arrangement of parts may beresorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed is:- 35

A hackamore comprising a pair of cheek bars, integral hooks extendingrearwardly from the upper ends of the cheek bars, a jaw chain connected,at its ends, to the hooks, a pair of arms pivotally mounted on the cheekbars in spaced 40 relation below the hooks, a sprocket chain pivotallyconnected, at its ends, to the free end portions of the arms, saidsprocket chain being operatively engageable with the animals nose, anadjustable chin strap connected to intermediate 45 portions of the bars,means connecting the chin strap with an intermediate portion of the jawchain, a connecting strap extending between the lower end portions ofthe cheek bars, and means on the lower ends of said cheek bars forconnecting reins thereto.

GEORGE MILLER.

